Incorrigible! Supreme Court Denies Bail to Juvenile Booked in 4 Identical Cases
Debayan Roy (Bar  and  Bench) 24 February 2025
The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to a juvenile, observing that he was a repeat offender and cannot escape the clutches of law on the ground of his age.
 
The Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan took note of the fact that the minor has four identical cases. 
 
"He is incorrigible! Just incorrigible," the Court remarked.
 
"Let him understand repercussions of his action. In the name of juvenile he cannot keep looting people. In fact, he should not have been treated as a juvenile. These are serious offences and every time they are getting away in the name of juveniles," it added.
 
In the present case of extortion and criminal intimidation, the juvenile was earlier denied bail by Rajasthan High Court. 
Pertinently, he is on bail in three cases.
 
"We realize he is in custody since 1 year [and] 8 months. Ultimately if juvenile court holds him guilty, the maximum punishment that can be imposed is three years. However we are not persuaded to exercise our discretion in his favour," the top court said. 
 
It also noted that charges have been framed against him and even though witnesses have been summoned, they have failed to appear before the trial court.
 
"If witnesses are not turning up, then this has something to do with the right to petitioner to have a speedy trial. It is for the presiding officer of juvenile court to take care of this and see that prosecution produces the witnesses," the Court said.
 
Considering its decision to deny bail to the juvenile, the Court ordered his expeditious trial. 
 
"We grant four months to the trial court to complete the trial and if needed conduct it on day to day basis," it directed.
 
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